About the Beaches
The Parks Department owns and maintains the local beach Tahoe Vista Recreation Area. Public beaches including Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Coon Street Boat Launch, Kings Beach Plaza, Sandy Beach, Secline Beach, Moon Dunes Beach and North Tahoe Beach which are maintained by California State Parks. Please call (530) 583-3075 for questions or information regarding Calfornia State Park properties.
Click the beaches on the map below to view a description of the beach.
Currently, there are no charges to use any of the beaches. Parking fees do apply at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Tahoe Vista Recreation Area. If you bike, walk or use public transportation, use of the beach is free. Additionally, the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and Boat Launch is available for rent for parties, weddings or public events. Please see the Facilities and Reservation information at the top of this page for details.
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and Boat Launch | Kings Beach State Recreation Area | Kings Beach Plaza
North Tahoe Beach | Coon Street Dog Beach and Boat Launch | Carnelian Beach West
Moon Dunes Beach | Patton Landing | Sandy Beach | Speedboat (Buck’s) Beach
TAHOE VISTA RECREATION AREA AND BOAT LAUNCH
7010 North Lake Blvd.
This beautiful 2.7 acre lakeshore property with approximately 800 feet of lakeshore frontage provides easy access for visitors of all abilities including sidewalks and paved areas leading to the beach, a sheltered boat launching facility, group picnic and special event areas, restrooms, sidewalks, and a large plaza with interpretive signage. A swim area provides beachgoers a designated area away from motorized and non-motorized traffic. The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and Boat Launch is also part of the Tahoe Water Trail. District Concessionaire's Tahoe Adventure Company provides seasonal kayak and SUP rentals and tours at this facility and North Tahoe Watersports/Jet Ski Tahoe provides personal watercraft rentals.
The parking area located across the street (and accessed via crosswalk at the signal light) provides 42 vehicles and 24 vehicles with trailer pull through spaces, a paved walking/bike trail along National Avenue leading to the North Tahoe Regional Park, a bus pullout and shelter, landscaping and stormwater BMP's. The 3.6-acre site located at the intersection of North Lake Boulevard (California State Route 28) and National Avenue was acquired by the NTPUD with funds from the California Tahoe Conservancy to provide specifically for parking.
Development of this beach was a collaborative effort between the North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD), California Department of Boating and Waterways and the California Tahoe Conservancy, and received the Tahoe Regional Planning Agencies' Best of the Basin Award in 2006.
Rentals and Reservations
This facility is free to use by the public but is also available to rent for private parties and weddings as well as public special events. There is no organized, commercial use of this property without a permit.
Private Events - Weddings, BBQs and family reunions are considered private events. Small parties or other gatherings (less than 20 people) may use the Reservation form to reserve picnic table groupings. Larger events must reserve the plaza, however Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Beach and Boat Launch will remain open to the public during your event.
Public Special Event - A public special event is any event with 50 or more people where a monetary amount is charged for participation. Please note there is a $200 nonrefundable administrative fee due with an application for a public special event.
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Facility Rates & Application (PDF)
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Picnic Table Reservation (PDF)
Amplified Sound and Live Music Application (PDF)
Alcohol Application (PDF)
Rentals & Tours
Kayak and SUP rentals and tours are available from the North Tahoe Adventure Company. Learn more.
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KINGS BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA (KBSRA)
8318 North Lake Blvd.
KBSRA is the flagship beach site in the North Tahoe area. KBSRA's 1,700 feet of lakefront is the largest public access sandy beach on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. The wide stretch of white sand that makes up Kings Beach is a favorite of visitors and residents alike. Its south facing aspect and a lake floor that gradually deepens, makes this one of the warmest swimming areas on the Lake. The beach is adjacent to the Kings Beach Plaza (see description below).
Kings Beach State Recreation Area is a California State Recreation Area owned and operated by California State Parks. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property.
The "Tahoe Regional" Annual Pass at $75 gives Tahoe enthusiasts the ability to frequent their favorite Lake Tahoe State Parks including D.L. Bliss SP, Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point SP, Emerald Bay SP and Kings Beach SRA, and even includes Donner Memorial SP. Visit their website for more information.
A beautiful playground area overlooks the water and gives the kids a place to play after they have tired of playing in the Lake. One picnic area near the playground is available on a first come, first served basis.
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KINGS BEACH PLAZA
The Plaza is owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy and is located in the heart of Kings Beach between Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Coon Street Boat Launch. The Plaza is situated under a canopy of mature Jeffrey Pines and the area boasts an attractive patio style courtyard with meandering walking paths which circle the entire area. A natural grassy meadow area and split cedar rustic fencing create a buffer from roadside exposure. Electricity is available in the courtyard for use during special events. Restrooms are available just a short walk down the promenade. A basketball court is located on the lakefront for pickup basketball games. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property.
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NORTH TAHOE BEACH
7860 North Lake Blvd.
The North Tahoe Beach Center is a 2.7-acre site that includes 540 feet of shoreline and is owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy, maintained and managed by California State Parks. It is located at the intersection of Highway 267 and Highway 28. North Tahoe Beach has 3 beach volleyball courts, restroom facilities, and a pavilion. The pavilion can be reserved but the remainder of the facility is available for use by the public on a first come, first served basis. Call (530) 583-3074 in order to reserve the pavilion. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property.
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COON STREET DOG BEACH AND BOAT LAUNCH
The Coon Street Boat Launch is located at the end of Coon Street in Kings Beach and is owned and operated by California State Parks. The facility includes a boat launch ramp (open when lake levels allow), restrooms and parking for vehicles as well as vehicles with trailers. Parking is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. This area also has some picnic tables in the shady area behind the restrooms.
Coon Street is also the site of the only public dog beach* in Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista. This small, rocky beach is located to the east (left if looking at the ramp) of the boat launch. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property. * The Tahoe Unleashed Dog Park at the North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista is another dog-friendly option nearby.
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SECLINE BEACH
Secline Beach is made up of a number of parcels owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy, Placer County and the North Tahoe Public Utility District.
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CARNELIAN BEACH WEST
The California Tahoe Conservancy's "Carnelian West" beach shares a free parking facility and day use buoy field with Gar Woods restaurant in Carnelian Bay. This wide, flat beach has year-round public restrooms and welcomes you and your leashed dog. The Tahoe Unleashed Dog Park at the North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista is another dog-friendly option nearby. Barbecues and picnic tables allow you to picnic at the water's edge. See Patton Landing for other beach options in the Carnelian Bay Area.
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MOON DUNES BEACH
Moon Dunes Beach is located in Tahoe Vista just off of North Lake Boulevard (State Route 28). It adjoins Snow Creek and is across from the Rustic Cottages. It has a modest stretch of sand and offers picnic tables and roadside parking. This is a California Tahoe Conservancy owned property that is managed by the North Tahoe Public Utility District. Portable restrooms are provided in the summer. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property.
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PATTON LANDING
The California Tahoe Conservancy's "Patton Landing" beach is located in the heart of Carnelian Bay. The concessionaire on property is Waterman's Landing (http://www.watermanslanding.com) - a small coffeehouse with fresh food and drinks as well as kayak, paddleboard and canoe rentals. The public beach has lakefront picnic tables and seasonal restrooms. There is free parking at this site however the parking lot is small. A car top boat launch facility is also free to the public. Be sure to protect Lake Tahoe by inspecting your non-motorized watercraft for aquatic invasive species! This beach has smooth, black pebbles rather than sand, which is a unique characteristic within the Tahoe Basin.
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SANDY BEACH
Sandy Beach is located in Tahoe Vista across Highway 28 and to the east of Anderson Road. The beach is owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy. Portable restrooms are provided in the summer. Contact State Parks at (530) 583-3075 with any questions regarding this property.
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SPEEDBOAT (BUCK'S) BEACH
Speedboat Beach is a very small beach located at the foot of Harbor Avenue. It has almost no public parking and for that reason is suggested for use by those in the adjacent neighborhoods or those who choose to access the beach by foot, bicycle or public transit. Please obey all signage and No Parking signs. No restrooms or other amenities are provided.
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